Kimmich, Neuer headline absentee list for injury-hit Bayern

Vincent Kompany, the Bayern Munich manager, verified that team captain Manuel Neuer along with Joshua Kimmich numbered among the multiple players unavailable for the Bundesliga clash with Heidenheim on Sunday.

In his comments to the press on Saturday, prior to the last fixture of the year, Kompany noted that Sacha Boey will sit out due to an injury, Konrad Laimer faces a ban, and Nicolas Jackson is absent representing Senegal at the Africa Cup of Nations.

Jamal Musiala, sidelined for an extended period, has rejoined group sessions this week, yet his comeback is not anticipated before 2026.

Michael Olise, the French winger who underwent eye surgery at the start of the week, should be back in action, much like Luis Diaz, who sat out the previous match owing to a suspension.

Olise, known for his reliability, has not yet sat out any game because of injury after moving to Bayern from Crystal Palace in 2024.

Kompany mentioned that Kimmich, Germany's skipper, continues to deal with an ankle issue sustained during international commitments in November.

"We've had so many matches recently, at a certain point the pain becomes too much," Kompany remarked, explaining further that Kimmich has "been playing at the limit of what's too painful" over recent weeks.

Bayern, who remain undefeated, have delivered an almost perfect performance in the league so far this term, conceding only four points across their first 14 outings.

The top-of-the-table Bavarians hold a six-point advantage over runners-up Borussia Dortmund, the latter having completed an additional fixture.

German newspaper Bild indicated on Saturday that Bayern intends to prolong winger Serge Gnabry's contract by a further two years, extending it to 2028.

Since arriving at Bayern in 2017, the ex-Arsenal striker has shone this season, contributing five goals and seven assists across various tournaments.

At 30 years old, he has recaptured his sharpness for the national team too, netting three times and providing one assist in Germany's six qualifying games for the World Cup.